Advanced Aluminium Matrix Composites: The Critical Need of Automotive and Aerospace Engineering Fields

The applications of aluminium matrix composite materials are growing continuously in the field of automotive and aerospace because of their superior physical, mechanical and tribological properties as compared to base alloy. Composite materials with metal matrix material e.g. aluminium or magnesium are finding broad level applications in many industries because of their lower density, better wear and corrosion resistance, high strength to weight ratio, good formability, high hardness, high thermal shock resistance, high modulus, high fatigue strength etc. In automotive industry they are being used in various parts e.g. pistons, cylinders, engine blocks, brakes etc. Aluminium based composites reinforced with micro/nano SiC, Al2O3, B4C, TiB2, ZrO2, SiO2 and graphite particles, changes the micro-structural characteristics that develop superior mechanical and physical properties appropriate for automotive/aerospace applications.

This article originally appeared in Materials Today: Proceedings 2, Issue 4-5, 2015, Pages 3032-3041